Liberia’s outgoing president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has been expelled from her own party, Unity Party, for allegedly failing to support its candidate to succeed her during the presidential election in December 2017. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is accused of encouraging people to vote against her vice-president, Joseph Boakai.

Former footballer George Weah won the presidential elections in December, defeating Mr Boakai.

A spokesman for the governing Unity Party said Ms Sirleaf had violated the party’s constitution as she was seen campaigning with Mr Weah, who was running under another party, the Coalition for Democratic Change banner.

Ms Sirleaf is yet to react to her expulsion.

Mr Weah will be sworn in later this month. It will be the first smooth transfer of power since 1944 in Liberia, which was founded by freed US slaves in the 19th Century.